Intelligent Speed Adaptation (5)

Caroline Russell: At the recent Transport for London (TfL) Bus Safety Summit in November 2019, it was shown that Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA) was more effective in areas of 20 mph speed limits than 30 mph. What improvements can be made to ensure ISA works well at speed limits above 20 mph?

The Mayor: Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) is just as effective in 20mph and 30mph zones as it works the same way in limiting speed against a digital speed limit map of London. It is only more effective in 20mph speed limits in that drivers are more likely to reach the limit more quickly and activate the software. I welcome the prevalence of 20 mph speed limits and ISA as both give us more control over safety, not just for buses but all traffic.

HMICFRS monitoring framework

Andrew Dismore: HMICFRS has said that the London Fire Brigade “requires improvement”. How will you address the concerns raised by HMICFRS in its recent inspection of the Brigade?

The Mayor: The results of the London Fire Brigade’s HMICFRS inspection were simply not good enough and it is important that changes are made to address the issues raised as quickly as possible.
The London Fire Commissioner is compiling an action plan to address the concerns raised by HMICFRS. This is due to report back to the Inspectorate at the end of February 2020 and will also be provided to the London Assembly Fire, Resilience and Emergency Planning Committee. My team and I will work with the Commissioner to ensure the action plan addresses the full scale and range of the issue facing the Brigade.

HMICFRS Report into the London Fire Brigade (4)

Caroline Pidgeon: How will you ensure that this immediate action takes place to ensure that the London Fire Brigade’s operational policies and procedures reflect national operational guidance following the recent HMICFRS report’s findings that this was not currently the case?

The Mayor: London Fire Brigade (LFB) has a robust plan in place which will enable the Brigade to achieve compliance with National Operational Guidance (NOG) by the end of 2020.
LFB has completed the NOG strategic gap analysis, which required departmental leads to determine whether LFB was compliant, partially compliant or non-compliant with all the strategic actions. At present LFB is 79 per cent compliant with NOG. Action plans are being produced for all areas of partial and non-compliance, detailing how these actions will be addressed to achieve compliance. In addition, a new policy framework is in development that will enable NOG integration into extant policy, and the first milestone will be the delivery of the fire element of this new framework in April.The whole project will be completed by December 2020.
Given the far-reaching implications of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry phase 1 report and the HMICFRS report, the LFB needs to re-examine its assurance processes, including a consideration of external assurance. My Deputy Mayor for Fire and Resilience is now working with the LFB to determine how best to take this forward, and she will consult members of the Fire, Resilience and Emergency Planning Committee and Bureau of Leaders to ensure Assembly Members have confidence in the rigour of the assurance process.

HMICFRS Report into the London Fire Brigade (3)

Caroline Pidgeon: With the recent HMICFRS Report declaring that there is no link between the Fire Service’s strategic direction and the London Safety Plan, what are you doing to ensure the work of the Fire Service is directed and guided by the risks set out in the London Safety Plan and what is your timescale for such action?

The Mayor: The HMICFRS report states that there is no longer a clear link between the Brigade’s strategic direction and the London Safety Plan. I have asked the Commissioner to look at the Brigade’s strategic direction and to develop an action plan that re-establishes a clear link to the Plan. That work is happening now and will inform the production of a new London Safety Plan, which is due in 2021, with a draft this summer.

Bullying in London Fire Brigade

Andrew Dismore: What are you doing to address the findings of HMICFRS that some staff in the London Fire Brigade report being bullied or harassed at work?

The Mayor: I was deeply concerned by the experience some LFB reported of being bullied and harassed and it is vital that any behaviour of this kind is rooted out as a matter of urgency.
In 2019 an external review was undertaken of London Fire Brigade’s (LFB) harassment complaints procedure, resulting in a new, clearer and easier to use policy being drafted. The new policy is due for launch in Spring 2020. Bullying and harassment complaints are now dealt with by a team with a greater number of experienced personnel.
Work is underway to develop LFB’s behavioural framework for all employees, based on a new organisational strategy. Additionally, a tailored leadership programme will be launched, which will include training to assist managers in improving their skills in areas such as reducing incidents of bullying, harassment and dispute resolution.

Delay to HS2

Navin Shah: The Government have announced that completion of the first phase of HS2, between London Euston and Birmingham, could be delayed by five years until 2031. What effect, if any, will this delay have on the regeneration of Old Oak Common and Euston?

The Mayor: There are ambitious plans in place to deliver a significant number of new homes and jobs at both Old Oak Common and Euston. I am confident these can still be delivered, even if there are delays to the first phase of HS2. The Greater London Authority, the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation and Transport for London remain committed to working with key stakeholders to develop the regeneration plans.
We are still awaiting the outcomes from the independent HS2 review commissioned by Government, which is anticipated to provide further clarity around delivery and dates for HS2.